Question

What are plasmids?

Answer 1

Plasmids are the extra-chromosomal, circular, double-stranded, self-replicating DNA present in the bacterial cells. These are not the part of the chromosome of the bacterial cell. They have their own origin of replication, so they can replicate autonomously. They confer additional functions to the bacteria by providing antibiotic resistance, fertility, pathogenicity etc. These have been used as vectors for cloning in the biotechnology applications. For example, pBR322.